Analysis-Companies Boost Social and Climate Reporting Amid ESG Backlash
November 4th, 2024
It’s Never Been Better for Investment in the Hotel Technology Industry
Frank Wolfe | June 5, 2024
By Frank Wolfe Just as the hospitality industry evolves, so too must the format of its conventions, especially one as influential to the hospitality industry as HITEC. This year, the senior team at HFTP has expanded the tradeshow’s depth and impact with the inaugural HITEC Technology Investment Conference, taking place immediately after the main event on Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 29. While it’s been in the making for a long time, we couldn’t have hoped for a better year to debut this addition. Why is 2024 particularly ripe for investment in this sector? Needless as it may be to the mention at this point, the pandemic acce...
Luxury Hotel Marketing: 5 Key Strategies to Succeed
June 5, 2024
Infinity pools with breathtaking views, spacious beachfront bungalows, exclusive spa treatments, Michelin-star restaurants, exquisite design, and exemplary service are all elements we typically associate with luxury hotels. But how do you communicate the elements that make your hotel exceptional to prospective customers? To be effective, your luxury hotel marketing strategy must tell a story that shows your customers what sets you apart and makes the experiences you offer unique. Importantly, you must actively target a distinct group of customers and ensure your messages appear in all the right places. In this article, we’ll explore t...
IHG Signs With AXA IM Alts for Return of Holiday Inn to Kyoto
IHG | June 5, 2024
Japan’s first Holiday Inn opened in Kyoto in 1973, so the opening heralds a return to the brand’s roots in Japan Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo will be the eleventh hotel under the Holiday Inn brand family in Japan The project is IHG’s second agreement with AXA IM Alts With more than 4,300 open worldwide, Holiday Inn is the world’s largest hotel brand family Tokyo, 5 June, 2024: IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) today announced that it has signed a management agreement with AXA IM Alts to open Holiday Inn Kyoto Gojo by early 2025. The opening heralds the return to the brand’s roots in Japan, with the first Holiday Inn openin...
The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa Welcomes Aurélie Chiaffi as Complex Spa Director
The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa | June 5, 2024
Bora Bora, French Polynesia (June 5, 2024) – The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa, a premier resort opening this Summer 2024 in Bora Bora, today announced the appointment of Aurélie Chiaffi as Spa Director, overseeing both The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa and The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. With over a decade of experience in hotel spas across French Polynesia, Aurélie Chiaffi brings a wealth of expertise and passion to her new role and will curate an array of treatments inspired by local Polynesian wellness traditions and modalities for the resort’s soon-to-open Heavenly Spa Bora Bora. “We are thrilled to welcome Complex S...
Aimbridge Hospitality Names William Davenport Chief Financial Officer
Aimbridge Hospitality | June 5, 2024
Accomplished finance executive brings 30-plus years of extensive experience across hospitality, foodservice and retail to the top third-party hotel management company PLANO, Texas, June 5, 2024—Aimbridge Hospitality, a leading, hospitality management company and the world’s largest third-party hotel operator, today announced William Davenport as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective July 8. Davenport will sit on the organization’s executive leadership team and report directly to Craig S. Smith, Chief Executive Officer. As Chief Financial Officer, Davenport will oversee the financial management of the company and have direct respo...
New Mining Exchange Hotel Debuts in Colorado Springs Under the Management of Practice Hospitality
THE MINING EXCHANGE HOTEL | June 5, 2024
The completely reimagined historic hotel unveils a redesigned lobby and guestrooms, elevated food and beverage concepts, experiential programming, a refreshed spa, and unparalleled event spaces. COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – June 5, 2024 – The new Mining Exchange Hotel is designed for modern travelers, with a nod to Colorado’s gilded past. The storied building in downtown Colorado Springs was originally established in 1902 as the stock exchange for precious gold and silver, and quickly became a bustling hub for mining magnates and investors. The reimagined property embodies this rugged yet refined essence of the West, creating a space tha...
Whitestone Companies Acquires the 275-Room Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter
Whitestone Capital | June 5, 2024
Columbus, OH (June 5, 2024) – Today, Whitestone Capital, a division of Whitestone Companies, purchased the 275 room Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter from Starwood Capital. This purchase marks Whitestone’s first purchase in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area and tenth hotel purchase in the last twelve months. “Atlanta is a market we have been eyeing for quite some time,” said Jay Batra, Chief Executive Officer of Whitestone Companies. “As with most things, it is about timing. With the Le Meridien, we believe we have found an incredible asset in a great location with considerable upside potential.” The Le Meridien is a unique ...
Vision Hospitality Group Opens Home2 Suites by Hilton Chattanooga/East Ridge, TN
Vision Hospitality Group | June 5, 2024
EAST RIDGE, TENN – June 5, 2024 – Vision Hospitality Group, Inc., is pleased to announce the Home2 Suites by Hilton Chattanooga/East Ridge, TN, is now open. Located next to their Hampton Inn, part of a vibrant mixed-use area in East Ridge, TN, at 479 Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge, TN 37412, Vision's second hotel to open this year features 101 rooms across four stories. "We are proud to continue our partnership with Hilton and broaden our presence in the East Ridge area by launching this Home2 Suites by Hilton," said Mitch Patel, President and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group. "East Ridge continues to see significant growth with new ...
Furama Hotels International To Debut in Sydney, Australia With Furama Darling Harbour
Furama Hotels International | June 5, 2024
Furama Darling Harbour invites guests to experience a refreshed and dynamic urban retreat in the heart of Sydney Sydney, Australia - 1 July 2024 - Furama Hotels International (FHI), the esteemed Singapore- based hospitality group, is thrilled to announce the grand unveiling of Furama Darling Harbour, formerly known as Holiday Inn Darling Harbour. This exciting rebrand marks Furama Hotels’ inaugural launch into the Australian market, setting a new benchmark for luxury and comfort in Sydney's bustling Chinatown district on Haymarket Street. Furama Darling Harbour redefines the traditional hotel stay with 370 contemporary guestrooms and ...
Raines Now Operating 16 Hotels for Atlantic Hotels Group in New Joint Venture
Raines | June 5, 2024
FLORENCE, SC — June 5, 2024 — Raines, a leading hospitality management, development, and investment organization, has entered into a joint venture with Atlantic Hotels Group that adds 16 properties to Raines’ management portfolio and expands the company’s operations into the Texas market. This deal was spearheaded by Kerry Ranson, partner and president of operations at Raines, and Perry Molubhoy, CEO of Atlantic Hotels Group, who have a personal and professional relationship that spans nearly two decades. Discussions regarding potential joint ventures had been ongoing, borne from a mutual vision to drive innovation and excell...
Sleep Tourism Now Mainstream With the Global Sleep Symposium at the Equinox Hotel
ADAM AND LARRY MOGELONSKY | June 5, 2024
By Adam Mogelonsky, Larry Mogelonsky Once you go down the wellness rabbit hole, there’s no going back. Living a healthy lifestyle has far too many advantages. You think more clearly; you have more energy; your mood improves; you’re happier; then you end up having better relationships and being more successful overall. We wellness folks can often forget, however, that not everyone shares the same mindset. Interest is growing, sure, but we need landmark news stories to emphasize this industry’s progression from niche to mainstream and the multi-trillion-dollar opportunity that awaits hospitality brands who anticipate the societal sh...
Las Vegas Leads in Meetings and Events Growth in May With an 18.5 Percent Uptick Reports Knowland
KNOWLAND | June 5, 2024
Oahu Island hits 17.9 percent growth with technology and travel groups acting as key drivers to growth ARLINGTON, Va. — June 5, 2024 — Knowland, the world’s leading provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reported that Las Vegas took the lead in group business with a solid 18.5 percent growth in May year-over-year (YoY). Oahu Island pulled in second at 17.9 percent YoY growth. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform and designed to help hoteliers protect and grow their revenue base. The average space used for meetings in the Top 25 markets was 3,615 sq. ft., and ...
Brandt Hospitality Group Getting Great Results From Accounting Software Partner
Aptech | June 5, 2024
The tech-savvy third-party hotel management and ownership company calls Aptech’s PVNG Enterprise Accounting Solution ‘user friendly’ and ‘intuitive’ and says support is ‘best in the industry’; Visit Aptech at HITEC Charlotte June 24-27 in Booth #2644 PITTSBURGH, June 5, 2024 — Brandt Hospitality Group, a third-party hotel management company based in Fargo, N.D., is always looking to be more efficient and keep its overhead costs low. With 17 hotels and 10 different brands in its growing portfolio and ownership in most properties, the operation’s team set out to find a scalable accounting system to deliver on the expectat...
Hard Rock International Announces REVERB by Hard Rock Scottsdale Development To Open in 2026
Hard Rock | June 4, 2024
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 4, 2024 -- Today, Hard Rock International announced development plans for REVERB by Hard Rock Scottsdale, a music-themed hospitality experience featuring entertainment and outdoor spaces, 195 hotel rooms, an outdoor pool, a rooftop bar and more. The $60 million project in partnership with ERES Capital is expected to open in late spring / early summer 2026, anchoring The Sydney, a mixed-use entertainment-focused development in the heart of Scottsdale's 101 Entertainment Corridor. REVERB by Hard Rock Scottsdale will be a contemporary hotel connecting today's traveler through music, local culture and events. W...
Staying Ahead of Recent Changes in Google’s Search and AI Results
Cendyn | June 4, 2024
By Apollos Gause May 2024, Google announced some major changes for search as well as the rollout for AI Overview scheduled for this week. Aimed at revolutionizing how users plan, research, and learn, these new features include: The option to simplify or break searches down further with AI Overview Multistep Reasoning Capabilities Planning Capabilities AI-Organized Search Results New Ask-With-Video feature with Google Lens AI overviews Available soon in Google Search Labs, AI Overviews will allow searchers to simplify language presented in the search results and/or break it down in further detail. The purpose is to r...
University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership To Launch Online Bachelor of Science and Doctorate at HITEC 2024
HFTP | June 4, 2024
The University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, one of the world’s leaders in hospitality and tourism education, announced today that it will sponsor and exhibit at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) 2024, the world's largest and most influential hospitality technology event. The College will use this opportunity to launch its online Bachelor of Science in Global Hospitality Leadership and online Doctorate in Global Hospitality Leadership. These new additions align well with the existing online Executive Master of Hospitality Management. The online BS degree serves a...
Virga Capital Partners With Resolute Road Hospitality to Acquire Residence Inn by Marriott Boise West
Virga Capital | June 4, 2024
BOISE, Idaho – (June 4, 2024) Virga Capital, a leading real estate investment and development company headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, today announced the acquisition of Residence Inn by Marriott Boise West. In partnership with Resolute Road Hospitality, this strategic acquisition marks Virga Capital's initial hospitality investment in Boise, signaling intentions to expand the company's presence throughout the Intermountain West. The acquisition comes at a time of significant market growth. Boise was recently recognized as one of the 12 Best Places to Live in the nation, solidifying its position as a dynamic hub for growth and opportun...
Hyatt To Rebrand Hyatt Regency Indian Wells to Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort and Villas After $64 Million Renovation
Grand Hyatt | June 4, 2024
Famed Southern California resort to introduce transformed guestrooms, suites, and luxury villas, as well as new restaurant concepts and an enhanced pool experience INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (June 4, 2024) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and Trinity Investments are proud to announce the planned rebranding of Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa to Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas, slated for September 2024. The rebrand will be timed to the culmination of a $64 million property-wide renovation and ushers in a new era of luxury for the iconic desert resort with redesigned guestrooms and luxury villas, an expanded l...
Shiji Distribution Solutions Sees Remarkable Growth, Announces Key Promotions
Shiji | June 4, 2024
Anson Lau promoted to Managing Director - Global, Natalie Kimball named Vice President of Strategic Accounts, Americas & EMEA, and Lluc Pons promoted to Director of Strategic Account Sales. ATLANTA, Georgia, United States, June 4, 2024 - Shiji Distribution Solutions achieved its best year in 2023, doubling booking production from 2019 despite air travel capacity remaining below pre-pandemic levels. Over the past year, the company has expanded its global business footprint considerably, signing new partnerships in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Europe and the US, while launching a next-generation channel manager for customers in ...
HSMAI Global Launches Certified Hotel Sales Leader (CHSL) Certification
HSMAI Global | June 4, 2024
McLean, VA (June 4, 2024) – The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Global is proud to announce the launch of its Certified Hotel Sales Leader (CHSL) certification. This new program is designed to recognize the expertise of hotel sales leaders, emphasizing the most up-to-date sales and commercial principles, practices, and strategies. The CHSL certification is tailored for hospitality sales leaders who are proficient in leading high-performing teams, demonstrating overall commercial acumen, applying best practices in hotel sales to drive revenue growth, and more. The certification covers a wide range of top...
Hotel Co 51 Appoints Wayne Androliakos as New CEO
Hotel Co 51 | June 4, 2024
Hotel Co 51 is promoting experienced hospitality professional Wayne Androliakos as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Wayne Androliakos took over the CEO reins on 1 June, succeeding Tobias Linder who stays within the Vastint Group as the new Head of Asset Management for Vastint Holding B.V. With over 25 years of hands-on hospitality expertise, Wayne brings his track record of building high-performing teams to the top role. Since joining Hotel Co 51 as UK Regional Director of Operations in summer 2022, Wayne has demonstrated his commitment to driving guest satisfaction by boosting feedback ratings across the 17 Marriott-branded propertie...
The Westin San Francisco Airport and Aloft San Francisco Airport Appoint New Complex General Manager, Christopher Holbrook
The Westin San Francisco Airport | June 4, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO, CA. (June 4, 2024) – The Westin San Francisco Airport and Aloft San Francisco Airport, two Millbrae hotels located minutes from San Francisco International Airport, announce the appointment of Christopher Holbrook as Complex General Manager. With over 25 years of experience, Holbrook brings his award-winning experience and deeply rooted industry relationships to the 418-room Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel and 298-room Aloft San Francisco Airport hotel, where he will oversee day-to-day operations. In his new role as Complex General Manager, Holbrook will lead the dynamic strategic direction of business initiatives and alig...
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club Appoints Kevin Sterling as New Executive Director of Food and Beverage
Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club | June 4, 2024
BREWSTER, MA — Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club proudly announces the appointment of Kevin Sterling as executive director of food and beverage. He brings over two decades of dynamic leadership experience to the historic Cape Cod resort, as well as extensive expertise in upscale hospitality management. With a distinguished career spanning 25 years, Kevin has consistently delivered exceptional results in directing food and beverage operations within renowned establishments. In his previous role, he demonstrated his ability to lead a large team and manage diverse food and beverage outlets, achieving a record-breaking revenue for the hotel...
“Travel Works for America” Roadshow Visits Charlotte, North Carolina
U.S. Travel Association | June 4, 2024
U.S. Senator Ted Budd headlines anchor event joined by U.S. Travel and local and state leaders to highlight the essential contributions of travel industry WASHINGTON (June 3, 2024)—The U.S. Travel Association’s “Travel Works for America” Roadshow arrived in Charlotte on May 29-30, bringing a message of travel’s value to the success of North Carolina and the nation. U.S. Travel’s roadshow tour spotlights how travel powers nearly every industry and community across America. An anchor event, held on Thursday at the Charlotte Convention Center, included remarks by United States Senator Ted Budd, a member of the Senate Committee on...
